After seven years rising through Cory’s cornet section, and making the rep seat her own since 2014 as well as playing as a second flugel where required, the band was very sorry to say goodbye to Stephanie Wilkins who moved to Manchester to take up a new job opportunity. She has since been appointed Principal Cornet of The Fairey Band and Cory would like to send warm wishes to her and Fairey’s for a successful future relationship, as well as sincere thanks to Steph for an amazing contribution to our band.

As a result of this, and further to previous departures from Cory announced at the time of the Europeans in April, the world’s number one ranked band has recently recruited four new players to its ranks.

Harvey Rees has joined on cornet. For three years Harvey has been Principal Cornet of Tongwynlais Band in Cardiff and he is a student at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and a pupil of Tom Hutchinson, Cory’s Principal Cornet.

Kyle Blake has joined on trombone, previously Solo Trombone with City of Bradford Band. Kyle recently graduated from Huddersfield University and has now relocated to start a new teaching job and to join Cory.

Cory has also recruited two new tenor horn players. Bobby Corkish is a recent graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music and has played with the Fairey Band for five years. He will also be relocating to join Cory on 1st horn. Last but by no means least, Karen Fletcher has joined the band on 2nd horn. She has been Solo Horn at Cory’s near-neighbour Tylorstown Band for several years.

Additionally, rising star Hannah Plumridge, who has been a member of Cory since 2015, has been appointed as the new repiano cornet player.

Speaking about the recent appointments, Musical Director Philip Harper commented: “It is always sad to see players leave the band, and at Cory there is a relatively low turnover of players. So to have to bring in four new players at the same time has felt like an unusual event! However, we’ve worked really hard to find the best quality replacements for each seat, and I’m delighted with every one of them. It means we keep the team fresh and hungry for success and I extend a warm welcome to all of our new recruits.”